Zesty Smoked Turkey Chili with Sweet Yellow Tomato
Revitalize your post-Thanksgiving turkey leftovers with this vibrant, one-pot Zesty Smoked Turkey Chili. Crafted with sweet yellow tomatoes that are less acidic, this chili balances a delightful smokiness with the warmth of jalapeños and the fresh fragrance of cilantro. Featuring hearty cannellini beans and crunchy white shoepeg corn, every spoonful offers a burst of flavor and texture. Perfect for warming up during chilly nights or for a hearty family meal, this recipe ensures that your turkey gets a flavorful second life!
N/A
Servings
180
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (For sautéing.)
Green onion
1 bunch (Chopped; tops separated.)
Onion
1 medium (Diced.)
Shallot
1 medium (Finely diced.)
Hot pickled jalapeño peppers
12 (Nacho sliced style.)
Garlic
1-2 cloves (Minced.)
Diced yellow tomatoes
32 ounces (Canned.)
Cannellini beans
2 (15-ounce) cans (Drained.)
White shoepeg corn
1 (11-ounce) can (Drained.)
Prepared cilantro
2 tablespoons (Fresh or paste.)
White pepper
1/4 teaspoon (Ground.)
Ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons (Ground.)
Smoked turkey breast
2 cups (In bite-sized pieces.)
Instructions
1
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the diced onion, chopped green onion bottoms, shallots, and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent the garlic from burning.
2
Quickly add in the diced yellow tomatoes and turn the heat up to high. Stir in the hot pickled jalapeños, and as the mixture comes to a boil, open the cans of cannellini beans and drain most of the syrup (do not rinse). Once the tomatoes are boiling vigorously, gently fold in the beans, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer for 5 minutes.
3
Add the white shoepeg corn to the pot, followed by the prepared cilantro, white pepper, and ground cumin. Stir everything together thoroughly and let the chili simmer for another 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
4
Introduce the bite-sized smoked turkey breast pieces to the mix and simmer for an additional 10 minutes until the turkey is heated through. Lastly, sprinkle in the reserved green onion tops just before serving for a fresh touch.
5
Serve hot, garnished with additional cilantro or jalapeños if desired. For a smoke flavor substitute, add a teaspoon of liquid smoke instead of smoked turkey.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
16g
Protein
3.75g
Fiber
1.25g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Smoked Turkey Chili?
Zesty Smoked Turkey Chili is a vibrant, one-pot meal that combines smoked turkey leftovers with sweet yellow tomatoes, cannellini beans, and white shoepeg corn.
Why are yellow tomatoes used in this chili?
Yellow tomatoes are used because they are sweeter and less acidic than traditional red tomatoes, providing a unique flavor balance to the smoky turkey.
Can I use regular turkey if I don't have smoked turkey?
Yes, you can use regular turkey and add a teaspoon of liquid smoke to the recipe to achieve a similar smoky flavor profile.
What type of corn is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for white shoepeg corn because its small, crisp kernels add a great texture to the chili.
What kind of beans are included in the Zesty Smoked Turkey Chili?
This recipe uses two 15-ounce cans of cannellini beans, which are creamy and hold their shape well in stews.
Is this chili spicy?
Yes, it has a warm kick from 12 nacho-sliced hot pickled jalapeño peppers.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 180 calories.
How much protein is in this recipe?
There are 16 grams of protein per serving.
How much fat does this chili contain?
This chili contains 5 grams of fat per serving.
What is the fiber content per serving?
There is 3.75 grams of fiber per serving.
Does this recipe contain a lot of sugar?
No, it only contains 1.25 grams of sugar per serving.
What aromatics are used in the base of the chili?
The base uses a combination of olive oil, onion, green onion bottoms, shallots, and minced garlic.
Should I rinse the cannellini beans before adding them?
No, you should drain most of the syrup from the can but do not rinse the beans, as the remaining liquid adds body to the chili.
How long do I need to sauté the onions and garlic?
Sauté them for about 4 to 5 minutes until they are translucent and fragrant.
What spices are used to season the chili?
The chili is seasoned with ground cumin, white pepper, and fresh or paste cilantro.
When do I add the smoked turkey?
Add the bite-sized smoked turkey pieces near the end and simmer for 10 minutes until heated through.
What should I use as a garnish?
You can garnish the dish with reserved green onion tops, extra cilantro, or additional jalapeños.
Is this a good recipe for leftover Thanksgiving turkey?
Absolutely, it is specifically designed to give a flavorful second life to turkey leftovers.
What type of pot is recommended for cooking?
A heavy-bottomed saucepan or a Dutch oven is recommended to ensure even heating.
How much olive oil is needed?
You will need 1 tablespoon of olive oil for sautéing.
What is the preparation for the jalapeños?
The jalapeños should be hot, pickled, and nacho sliced style.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe calls for 1 to 2 cloves of minced garlic.
Can I use fresh yellow tomatoes instead of canned?
While the recipe calls for 32 ounces of canned diced yellow tomatoes, you can use fresh if you dice them and adjust the liquid content.
What type of onion is best?
The recipe suggests one medium diced onion and one bunch of green onions.
How many shallots do I need?
You will need one medium shallot, finely diced.
What is the total simmering time for the vegetables and beans before adding turkey?
The beans simmer for 5 minutes, followed by another 10 minutes once the corn and spices are added, totaling 15 minutes before the turkey is introduced.
How much cilantro is used?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of prepared cilantro.
How much cumin is in the recipe?
It requires 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cumin.
What is the serving size?
The specific serving size is not provided, but the nutritional data is calculated per serving based on the total batch.
Is white pepper different from black pepper in this recipe?
Yes, white pepper provides a sharp, earthy heat that complements the lighter color and flavor of the yellow tomato base without adding black flecks.